The SS1 is the standard assault rifle of the Indonesian armed forces and Indonesian National Police. It is based on the FN FNC rifle but modified in order to meet ergonomic and tropical environment needs. The assault rifles are gas-operated automatic carbines with a foldable butt and are designed to meet theNATO standard. SS1 weapons are high performance light individual weapons that have been used by the Indonesianarmed forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as police. It was adopted into Indonesian service in 1991. It is currently being phased out and replaced by the Pindad SS2. The SS1 would possibly be used by reserve or paramilitary forces when the SS2 is fully adopted into service. The SS1 is manufactured by PT Pindad, Bandung, Indonesia under the license from Fabrique Nationale, Belgium.
History
After 10,000 FN FNC rifles were bought for the Indonesian military, Pindad secured a license in 1984 from FN to manufacture the FNC. Indonesia adopted the SS1s into official service by 1991. A recent seizure of Pindad SS1 rifles alongside P2 pistols in the Philippines has forced politicians to call on a special investigation on Pindad to whether weapon smuggling did take place according to Philippine customs officials. The Indonesian government, in response, has made preparations to form a special agency to handle all overseas trade. The Ministry of State Enterprises has conducted an investigation against Pindad over the seizure of Pindad-made firearms in the Philippines.
Design
The external looks of the SS1s are strongly similar to the FN FNC, ranging from the pistol grip to the stock, receiver and barrel. Optics can be mounted onto the SS1 rifles, but a special optic mount be installed first before any optic can be used. The SS1s are designed by Pindad to allow for the use of their own indigenous SPG-1A underbarrel grenade launcher, inserted underneath the barrel. Most SS1 rifle models, with the exception of the SBC-1, are made with selective fire modes that consist of single, three round and full auto firing modes.
Variants
SS1-V1
SS1-V2
SS1-V3
SS1-V4
SS1-V5
SS1-R5 Raider
SS1-M1
Sabhara/Police V1-V2
SBC-1
Users
: Exported in 1991.
: Komando Pasukan Katak tactical diver group and Komando Pasukan Khususspecial forces group. Used by the Indonesian military.
: Purchased 35 SS1 V2 and 35 SS1 V4 assault rifles in 2014.
: Confiscated by Philippine customs officials when a ship bound to Mali, passing by the Philippines to deliver 10 P2 pistols, was raided after arriving in Philippine waters. The Malian government had ordered 100 SS-1V1 rifles. The rifles were meant to be used by Malian Ministry of Internal Security and Civil Protection. According to Fernandino Tuason of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, he had received credible information that certain politicians were planning to use the weapons, mostly Galils, for destabilization efforts for the presidential elections scheduled to be held in 2010. Pindad officials have explained the misunderstanding since the SS1 rifles are not Galils. The Manila Bulletin has been the only media outlet to check that the Galils are not Galil rifles, but SS1s. In addition, they are presenting evidence that the small arms shipment is legal. It's suggested that a gun-running syndicate is the culprit for getting Indonesian-made weapons to the Philippines. According to further investigation, end user certificates issued by Indonesia were faked.
